Bathysaurus mollis Günther, 1878
Highfin lizardfish
Bathysaurus mollis
photo by Reiner, F.

Family:  Bathysauridae (Deepsea lizardfishes)
Max. size:  78 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1550 - 4903 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal between latitude 50°N-20°S except tropical eastern Pacific. Eastern Atlantic: northern Ireland; Morocco to Gabon.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal soft rays: 13-13; Vertebrae: 50-51. Moderately elongate and slender. Slightly depressed anteriorly and compressed posteriorly. Color generally white, with peritoneum, branchial and buccal regions dark. Small specimens have faint vertical bars (Ref. 37039).
Biology:  Benthic (Ref. 58302). Found on the continental rise and the abyss, commonly below 2,000 m, in water colder than 4°C. Larvae are probably pelagic in near-surface midwaters. Solitary, lurking bottom feeder. Probably piscivore (Ref. 4964).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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